Kajiado: Kajiado is likely to experience near to above-average rainfall in the South, Central, and part of the West Sub-counties, while near to below-average rainfall is expected in the East, North, and the northern part of the West Sub-counties according to the weather-based advisory for March, April, and May (MAM) 2025. The advisory, developed by a team of scientists from the Kenya Meteorological Department, indicates that the long rains will commence in the fourth week of March to the first week of April, with cessation expected from the third to the fourth week of May.
According to Kenya News Agency, the rainfall distribution both in time and space is expected to be poor to fair. The peak of the rains is anticipated in late April for most places, with occasional storms likely in some parts of the county during the season. The temperature forecast suggests warmer-than-average temperatures across the county with increased probabilities. The advisory highlights that these climatic conditions could lead to s
ignificant impacts, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity, increased risk of droughts, agricultural yield losses, rising sea levels, impacts on human health, and potential economic damage due to extreme weather events.
Farmers in areas expected to receive near-normal to above-normal rainfall are advised to plant appropriate crop varieties, construct water retention ditches and cut-off drains, implement soil conservation structures, have water harvesting mechanisms like tanks, establish proper food storage facilities to avoid post-harvest losses, plant cover crops, and embrace pest management techniques. Conversely, farmers in areas expecting near-normal to below-normal rainfall are advised to plant drought-tolerant crops, utilize water-efficient irrigation systems, embrace kitchen gardening technologies, and ensure effective crop protection practices to manage emerging pests and diseases.
Livestock farmers in regions anticipating near to above-normal rainf
all are encouraged to practice pasture harvesting and conservation, install soil and water conservation structures like gabions, manage invasive weeds, and implement grazing management plans. They are also advised to source breeding stock, implement breeding programs, and undertake livestock restocking. In contrast, livestock farmers in areas likely to experience near-normal to below-normal rains should upscale water harvesting, repair and renovate water handling facilities, and manage pastures effectively through fencing and paddocking. They are also advised to control breeding and destock as reduced livestock performance is anticipated.
The report also warns of expected increased incidences of livestock diseases. Farmers are advised to vaccinate and deworm their animals, control movement, and report disease outbreaks to relevant authorities promptly.